I'm reading Virolution by Frank Ryan- and it's changing the way I think about evolution.
It's a topic I'm fascinated by- especially after reading the Blind Watchmaker (Dawkins) and Symbiotic Planet (Margulis)-
and this book hasn't disappointed me.
Ryan puts forth the idea that the one of the main driving forces of evolution have been- wait for it- viruses.
He talks about viral symbiosis-taking Margulis' ideas one step further- and about how hosts co-evolve with viruses.
He goes on to connect this phenomenon with cancer, autoimmunity and AIDS- and ends with how viruses are continuing to drive our evolution; and maybe even shape our destiny.
It's a lot to think about it.
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